Phonograph reproducer arm assembly



April 27', 1954 w. s. BACHMAN PHONOGRAPH REPRoDucER ARM ASSEMBLY Filed May 29. 1948 Patented Apr. 27, 1954 PHONOGRAPH REPRODUCER ARM ASSEMBLY William S. Bachman, Southport, Conn., assigner to Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 29, 1948, Serial No. 29,997

19 Claims. l

This invention relates to phonograph reproducer arms, and particularly to the reduction or elimination of low-frequency resonant oscillations therein.

Phonograph reproducer or pickup armassemblies commonly have an arm of desired length which is coupled to a xed support for movement in both lateral and vertical directions. A stylus is mounted at the end of the arm remote from the support for engagement with a record surface. The usual stylus mounting is a suspension which provides lateral compliance, and recently designed mountings also provide vertical compliance. In the case of lateral cut records the lateral compliance allows the stylus to fol'- low the lateral variations in the modulated groove but provides a restoring force which tends to maintain the stylus in mid-position. Vertical compliance is often provided to decrease needle talk and to allow the stylus to follow uneven surfaces without difficulty. Commonly the coupling between arm and fixed support is made as frictionless as possible so as not to impair the movement of the arm and stylus. Free lateral movement permits the stylus tov follow the record groove spiral without diiculty, and free vertical movement allows the stylus to follow warped records, etc.

Adopting the terminology of mechanical-electrical analogies, the compliance of the stylus suspension provides a mechanical reactance which is analogous to the reactance of a capacitor in an electrical circuit. Similarly, the dynamic mass of the arm and cartridge assembly provides a mechanical reactance of opposite sign, analogous to inductive reactance in an electrical circuit. At the frequency where the compliance and the dynamic mass have equal mechanical reactances of opposite sign, a resonance occurs.

Such a resonance affects both 'the electrical output of thepickup cartridge (crystal, electromagnetic, etc.) and the mechanical stability of the arm in tracking.

The electrical eiect due to resonance produces a sharp peak in the output of the pickup cartridge at the resonant frequency. This is undesirable since it destroys the linearity of response. The mechanical instability of tracking renders the reproducer assembly vulnerable to vibration and sudden shocks. The pickup arm is thus likely to jump grooves even with relatively slight jars.

In the past kithas been common to choose-the effective mass of the arm and the compliance of the stylus suspensionv so that the resonant frequency occurs below the useful frequency range to be reproduced. While this produces uniform electrical output within the useful frequency range, there is still considerable mechanical instability which makes the turntable assembly very critical with respect to mechanical shock and vibration.

Various attempts have been made to damp out the low-frequency resonant oscillations. Damping has commonly been provided in the pickup cartridge located at the end of the arm, and particularly in the pivot about which the stylus assembly oscillates. The amount of damping which can be provided in the pivot of the stylus assembly is limited by the necessity of allowing the stylus to follow accurately the modulation of the groove without excessive needle pressure. The present tendency is to reduce needle pressure to a minimum so as to reduce record wear and-noise. For example, needle pressures of 15 grams and less have been employed with success. Thus the damping which can be provided at the pivot of the stylus assembly is too Y small to be very eifective in damping the lowfrequency resonance of the arm. Further damping may be provided between the stylus assembly and the point at which the pickup cartridge is rigidly attached to the arm, but this imposes rather severe limitations on the design of the cartridge.

Generally speaking, in the usual pickup arm, the arm is mass-controlled above the resonant frequency, since the mechanical reactance of the mass is greater than that of the compliance. Below the resonant frequency, the arm is said to be stiiTness-controlled, since the reactance of the compliance is-greater than that of the arm mass.

Broadly, in accordance with the present invention, mechanical resistance is provided at the coupling-between the arm and the mounting support, so as vto provide substantial damping of the low-frequency oscillations. It is found that `sufficient damping can be provided at this point to substantially damp out the low-frequency resonance without seriously impairing the proper tracking of the stylus, and without substantially increasing the required needle-point pressure.

Damping is accomplished by introducing mechanical resistance in the coupling between arm land support to provide mechanical resistance to movement'of the arm in at least one direction. Mechanical resistance to movement only in the lateral direction, for laterally-cut records, will reduce-resonant oscillations in that direction and vibration, and reduces the danger of damaging-'5.`

a record or stylus by accidentahdrppping ofthe pickup arm. Due to the V-'shape of 'the-record grooves, any lateral movement of the stylus produces a vertical as well=as a-rlateralllforcefon-the pickup, so that vertical-resonance'mayr be-eX'- 'l1 cited by lateral stimulation. Henceidampingin one direction only will havefbenecialfeifectsin the other direction also. It is preferred, however, to provide mechanical resistance'eiective in both lateral and 'vertical directions land specic f embodiments are 1 described .z hereinafter which4 give' such` damping.

AVarious damping means maysbe eniployed to introduce `mechanical resistance atzthecoupling.

In: general it. is advantageous...to 'employ means approximating puremechanic'al resistance. zThat is, the ratio of mechanical resistancezttofrestoring-.force should :bef high. Viscous materials exhibiting :a high ratio of.' mechanical:- resistance to restoring forcemay be.employedltof'advantage. SuchY materials appear `to have;l a sort',A ofvinternal friction whichzgives them their" mechanical revsistance properties In particular, lubricants oi high viscosity.-` have :been found `highlysatisfactory and; areused 'inn theifs'pcciiic embodiments hereinafterdescribed. Electromagnetic?damping means, such: as:A eddy currentcdamping; provides substantially pure' mechanicaliresistanceand, alf though more" expensive'. andi' diiiicult ,toi usemay be .employed ifldesired.

The amount or'damping-resistancemay be selected` within llimits fin; accordance with the specic application to fwhichf the: invention is applied.r An amount of'-mechanicalr--resistance which `will critically fdampf vthe @low-frequency Vresonance of. the1armeis1usua'lly optimum. :fSuch critical vdamping'V lrendersvthe ypickupfarn'r` very stable in tracking atall.frequencies"l and rdoes not materiallyiincrease the;needlefpointgpressure required for proper tracking over thatlnecessary under" non-resonant conditions. -The Vutracking isV also highly` stable; evenunder,"relativelyVV severe conditions ofshock and` vibration. 11n-addition the c rise Iin" the rresponsef'characteristic at -i the resonant frequency -is reducedl'towa negligible amount, hence giving.l a: veryV .smooth v:frequency response. Values of :damping-resistance. greater than that required for critical dampingnrcan be v-employ ed,f but' are` in general. unnecessary.

f Insome-cases itmaybe diflicult--tofintroduce sufficient mechanical resistanceto criticallydamp the arm, orit'may beV desired ito .retaina certain v'amount of increasedI responseatfami near the resonant frequency. #Reducing the resistance to one-third that required -for criticaldamping increases the' needle :point .-.fpressuret required for tracking under resonantV conditions-approximately 6Ii% and somewhat increases the response at resonance. Such performance is ordinarily satisfactory.- and the increase-inv response-fat; resonance may sometimes be helpful.` Reducingthe resistance to- Vapproximately one-sixth. :that ,-re-

, quired for critical damping increases'fthefweight required for proper .tracking approximately three times -v and still furtheriril-creases.vr the :response at resonance. Such operation is often adequate, although it is preferred to use resistance more closely approaching that required for critical damping.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following description of T Sp'eelc embodiments; taken inv conjunction with fr the# accompanying "drawings nin which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a reproducer arm, partially in section, employing a ball-and-socket coupling 'Fig.2 is' the electrical analogue of the arm of Fig. 1 at low frequencies;

I 3i another embodiment, partially in section,vf^ emp'loying a ball-and-socket coupling i:Fig. 4.-isfajside view, partially in section, of a further embodiment of the invention employing oiiatf plates instead of spherical surfaces; and

'*ofttile-.armfofFig.1 4,1 taken f. along ifthe :lin'e -l Referringnow -to.-Fig.yl,.a rigidarm Iris'pro- Fig. 5 is a bottom View, partially in section,

'-vided withaaz:ball-and-socket joint` II-,1il2r'which couples the arm to mounting support' I3' in. the form of. apedestal. -rPedestal I 31 may' be'` mounted noni support plate: lILI anysuitabiemanner. At 1,':the :end ofi arm Iiiyremote romtheisupport I3,

arpickupcartridge I5,-iszattached. Cartridge I5 a'offhas a; stylus I6 mountedatz-theend yoff-la cantif ytical-.compliancel betWeen-fstylusfI andvfthe .carvftridge I5 which is fixeduin arm 10; .At :the oppositeA -end of' the Aarm-f a1 counterweightf EI 8: may

lever suspension, IIwhich allowsflateral and ver- 1 be, provided, :ifanecessary'r-iin orderlxtozobtain the ldesired'styluspressure: on ai-record'- surface. The

arm :is mounted on: plate1i yI4 at asuitable'height :to permitsy stylus I G toengagez-the: sound grooves ofv arecorddisk'properly.

Betweenithe cooperatingsurfaces'of'iball I! i. and socket, I2 iszalnr. 2I of; afviscous-lubricant. This providesgrmechanical" resistanceflrtd move- Hment ofi-the. pickup f arming anyl direction.

V:ordernto :maintain a1- constant clearancefbetween v the:v cooperating; spl'ierical:surfaces offthe Ejoint, :a pivot pin. 22-is formedinsocket 'IZ'and engages Varm I8 at abearing p ointr23iwhichwis concentric fWith-ball II. Bearingapointl isialsoconcen- .tWeenfthe-radii Off-'thei-ball andsocketxsurfaces.

tric with the center of the: spherical vsurface of socket. I 2; and hence`y a clearance 2 I f is maintained ,fatall .times Which-isequalxtofgthe difference be- Therhole orf socket 24.1inffball II'zisfimade suma ciently large to; allow thei desir-ed range of movement of 4thev pickuparm inf the;verticalixdirection.

Theccenterrof-gravity of the-arm is located so that .the arm maintains .itslupright position.

Y 11n-order: Lto; avoidtdaneerzof; completely separating :the lpickup, arm -I 0 from-support AI 3:, dur- B us e,f acirculanange" 25. maybe-provided on the upper endg of, support;

3;: and alretaining ring 26:,` attached; :to farm :I livin; anyrzdesiredi-.manner EThe f vertical clearance betWeen .-the retaining ring and flange is made suiiicientlydargeytcr allow the desired range of fmovement; ;of:f stylus v I 6.

In the absence ofy any rlubricant; thefriction ofthe ball-and-socket joint Ais" very small due to the pivot-bearingarrangement. *The effect of Athe=viscous lubricant Ais to, provide mechanical resista-nce tokmovement of Ithe arm `l` Iii in any Y. direction. Assuming 'stylus I6 toV begin engagement-with, a laterally-modulated-v-sound` record groove, the stylus is oscillatedlaterally at a frefjquency determined by'thevscund v'being reproduced. .A The vcompliance v fprovided by acantilever \I 1f. allows .lateral .movementiofrstylus I 6; andalso vthe cartridge itself.

Arm I0, including cartridge I and counter- Weight I 8, of course has mass. 'The dynamic mass of the arm as a Whole produces a mechanical reactance which is opposite in sign to the mechanical reactance of the compliance between stylus |-6 and the arm. As a result, a resonant circuit is established which tends to oscillate at a resonate frequency. yThe mass ofthe arm and the compliance are commonly selected so that resonance occurs at a relatively low frequency. In some cases the resonant frequency Amay be suiciently low to be outside the range of frequencies to be reproduced, and hence the resonance of the arm will not affect the linearity of the response curve. In other cases, the resonant frequency may be within the useful range of frequencies and a very marked increase in output will result.

While a certain amount of resonance may be tolerated, and indeed may in some cases be desirable to compensate for other deficiencies in the reproducing system, an undamped resonant peak is undesirable. If the arm resonant frequency is Within the frequency band recordedin the record, tracking instability may be present for frequencies near resonance and the pickup arm may actually jump grooves for sounds at or near the resonant frequency of the arm. Furthermore, whether the resonant frequency lies Within the frequency band being reproduced or not, tracking instability under conditions of shock and Vibration are still present.

The mechanical resistance provided by the viscous lubricant 2| in the ball-and-socket joint serves to provide damping of the low-frequency arm resonance. If sufficient mechanical resistance is provided the arm may be critically damped, in which case excellent stability will lbe obtained throughout the frequency range of reproduction and despite mechanical shock or vibration. Furthermore, the output response of cartridge l5 will be affected only negligibly by the arm resonance, thus yielding asmooth characteristic commonly to be desired.

The mechanical resistance required for critical damping may readily be calculated when the dynamic mass and compliance of the armare known. Fig. 2 represents a circuit which is the electrical analogue of the pickup arm of Fig. 1 at low frequenies. The electrical terms and their mechanical analogies are as follows:

Z=impedance=needle point impedance C=capacitance=compliance L=inductance=mass R=resistance=mechanical resistance l,

From Well-known electric circuit analysis, the critical damping resistance Re is:

A specific example will aid in understanding the practical application of the invention. Assuming that the pickup arm has an effective lateral dynamic mass at the stylus tip of 10 grams,

and that the lateral compliance bet-Ween the stylus tip and the arm is 10-6 centimeters V.per dyne, the resonant frequency fr is conventionally calculated from the following formular :duced vby the lateral 1 T .ff-:ZI: E (2) With the above specific values, the resonant frequency is 50.3 cycles per second. From Equation 1 theresistance Re required to critically damp this arm resonance is 6300 mechanical ohms (dyne-seconds per centimeter).

.The added force at the stylus tip required to move the arm laterally against this resistance may also be conveniently calculated from the following formula:

Force=R Velocity (3) Here the force is the lateral force at the stylus v tip, R is the effective mechanical resistance at the stylus tip, and the velocity is the radial velocity of the stylus tip in tracking the spiral record groove.

A pickup arm with the above constants has been successfully employed with a record having 224 grooves per inch and rotating at.331/3 R.. P. M. With these record constants, the radial velocity `ofthe stylus is approximately 0.0063 centimeter needle point impedance determines the weight reat the needle to enable it to properly track I the modulations of the sound groove. The lateral 'force on the stylus in tracking a laterally-modulated groove is: v

Force =Z v (4) Where v is the lateral velocity of the stylus proundulations of the sound groove. The magnitude of Z may be obtained by finding the impedance of the circuit of Fig. 2, for which the following equation applies: y

In practice it is found that if the tracking at the resonant frequency is satisfactory, it will be satisfactory over the remainder of the frequency range to be reproduced. At the resonant frequency, Equation 5 reduces to the following form:

RTWLTJZE ZR: wie (6) Theoretically if there were no damping whatever, the needle point impedance at the resonant frequency would be infinite, and the the pickup head "would need to be innite for proper tracking. Actually, there is always some damping present so that it is common practice to simply make the weight at the needle the needle acteristic are produced at the resonant frequency if the arm is relatively undamped.

As areference point, a so-called "non-resonant impedance at the resonant frequency is sometimes calculated. This impedance is that of either the compliance or the mass at the resonant socket joint of Fig. l is only half a sphere. the viscous lubricant provides greater mechanical resistance in the lateral direction than in the vertical direction. This has been found satisfactory in practice but, if desired, the resistance in the two directions could be equalized by employing full spherical ball-and-socket joints.

An additional advantage resutling from the use of mechanical resistance in the vertical direction is that if the arm is raised olf a record surface and released, accidentally or otherwise, ity

will drop slowly onto the record without danger of injuring either the stylus or the record. The use of the pivot pin 22 also eliminates the need for accurately leveling the mounting plate i4, inasmuch as the pivot point serves in both horizontal and vertical planes.

Fig. 3 shows another version of the pickup arm in which the ball 3| is part of the mounting support 32, and the socket portion 33 of the joint is part of pickup arm I0. The viscous lubricant 2| is between the two cooperating surfaces as described above. The construction shown in Fig. 1 is presently preferred to that shown in Fig. 3

because in the latter arm the weight of the arm may force some of the viscous lubricant out of the joint, and the viscous lubricant itself may tend to flow out. If desired, a pivot could be formed integrally with the socket and extend downwards to engage a bearing point formed at the center of the ball 3|. a constant clearance in the same manner as shown in the arm-of Fig. 1.

The determination of the required amount of mechanical resistance for the arm of Fig. 3 is subject to the same considerations explained hereinbefore in connection with Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, a pivotal coupling is provided in which separate pivots are employed for lateral and vertical movement. Arm 4| has a pickup cartridge l5 at one end thereof with a stylus I6 attached to the cartridge by the cantilever suspension y|'|`. The arm is pivoted at V42 to an L-shaped member comprising a horizontal portion 43 with yflat vertical sides, and a vertical portion 40. Pivot 42 is located at This would result in maintaining one end of the horizontal leg 43, and extends horizontally to allow vertical movement of the arm. As shown in Fig. 5, a viscous lubricant 44 is applied between the vertical sides of leg 4.3 rand cooperating interior walls of the arm 4|. This provides mechanical resistance to movement of the arm in the vertical direction.

The lower portion of vertical leg 40 is enlarged to form a i'lat circular surface 45 which cooperates with the upper surface of mounting disc 46 which is attached to a supporting plate I4 Vby rneans of the thread and nut connection 41. The cylindrical bearing rod 48 is formed integrally with the vertical leg 40 and cooperates with bearing 49 to allow movement of the arm` in thelateral direction.

A viscous lubricant 5| is inserted between the i The ramount of mechanical' resistance provided i may be determined in accordance with the' conjsiderations given hereinbefore in connection: with Fig. 1. InasmuchV as the vertical and lateral f damping resistances are introduced at different points in the arm' ofFig. 4, the amountof .resist-`v ance in each direction` maybe .determinedv inV accordance with `the 'compliance and' dynamic mass of the arm in the corresponding directions. If desired, mechanical resistance could be provided in one direction only by employing ordinary non-viscous lubricant in the otherdirection.

, The foregoing specific embodiments have been described particularly in connection with the use Vof viscous lubricants to provide mechanical damping. If desired, other forms of materials providing mechanical resistance could be applied in shunt with Vertical and horizontal pivotal connections of an arm to obtain damping as above described. Also, electromagnetic or eddy current damping could be employed if desired.

The invention has been described in connection with several embodiments thereof, and a specific example has been given. It will be understood that manyV variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A phonograph reproducer arm assembly7 comprising an arm, a support for said arm, a coupling movably attaching said arm to said support having substantially horizontal and substantially vertical axes of rotation, one of said axes being substantially xed with respect to said arm and theother substantially fixed with respect to said support, a pair of adjacent relatively movable surfaces with substantially constant clearance therebetween associated with said coupling for relative movement about at least one of said axes of rotation, a stylus mounting on said arm at a point remote from said support providing compliance between the stylus and the arm, and a viscous material between said surfaces to provide mechanical resistance to movementof said arm in at least one direction, one of said surfaces being substantially immovable in said one direction with respect to the arm and the other surface being substantially immovable in said one direction with respect to said support, said resistance beingv selected to substantially damp the resonance of said compliance with the mass of said arm.

2. A phonograph reproducer arm assembly comprising a reproducer arm, a support for said arm, :a universal coupling attaching said arm to said support near oneend thereof to allow vertical and horizontal movement of the arm about substantially horizontal and substantially vertical aXes of rotation, one of said axes being substantiallyiixed with respect to said arm and the other substantially xed with respect to said support, a pair of adjacent relatively movable surfaces with substantially constant clearance therebetween associated with said coupling for relative'movementabout at least one of said axes of rotation, a stylus mounting on saidV arm at a point remote from said support providing compliance between the stylus and the arm, and a yieldable viscous material between said surfaces to provide mechanical resistance to movement of said arm in at least one direction, one of said surfaces being substantially immovable in said one direction with respect vtothe arm'and the other surface being substantially immovable in said one direction with respect to saidsupport, the magnituder of said mechanical resistance being predetermined to provide substantial damping of low-frequency resonant oscillations of'said compliance with the massfof said arm.f

3. Aphonographreproducer arm assembly for reproducing sound from laterallymodulatedsound groovesvvhichv comprises` a reproducer arm, a supportlforsaid' arm`,a''c`oupling attaching said aezicgsocir arm to said supportY for;` lateral and.ir-vertical.,`

movement of the arm'.aboutwsubstantiallythorizontal and substantially 'vertical-:axespf rota.- f

tion, one of said axes being :substantially-.hired with respect to said arm andthe other substan-V tially xed with respect to said.. support, a; pair f r of adjacent relatively movable surfaces with-sube stantially constant clearance therebetweenzasso-`v ciated with said coupling for relative movement about at least one of said axes of.;rotation,"a sus.4

pension for mounting a stylus on said arm :at: an..

point remote from said support withfcompliance.. between the stylus` and the arm; and a yieldable;

viscous material between said surfaces to provide.

mechanical resistance to movement. of saidarm in at least one direction,..onexof 'said surfaces;

being substantially immovable .in said one'idirecf,

tion with respect to the armandfthe. other surfaced being substantially immovable in saidijone riirecf tion with respect to said support, the magnitude.

of said mechanical resistance beingatleast one-z sixth that required -to critically damp the JOIW- -v frequency resonant oscillations vof said. complif ance with the mass of-said arm-in saidonedirccz-v tion 4. A phonograph reproducer` arm.'v assemblyfcomprising a rigid reproducerf'arm,1a supportfor;

said arm,.a couplingattaching-saidz'armnearxone end thereof -to said supportnfor; lateral andfverftical movement of the g:armwabout :substantially horizontal and substantially Vertical. axes'aof` ro-f tation, one of said axes-being substantially fixed-i with respect to saidarmvandr the othersubstanf.

tiallyfixed with respectwto:saidsupport;a pair;

of adjacent relatively movable surfaces-.with sub.-y stantially constant clearance therebetween 'asso'- ciated with said coupling;fOr-irelativefmovement about at least one ofsaid axesofirotation, a stylus mounting on` said arm-at agpoint remote from said support providing compliance-betweenzzthe stylus and the'armnand Va yieldableafisccusv ma'- terial between said` surfacesvto- .providefmechania cal resistance to movement of. saidgarminatleast;A one direction, one of said surfaces being sube; stantially 1 immovable i in: :saidz:l onemdirectio'n with;

respect to the arm andztheeotlierz` surfacelbeing. rsubstantially immovable.- in i: 'said Lone-f directionz--r with respect to .saidgsupportrtheamagnitudezfof said mechanicaly resistanceabeing.predetermined.I

to substantially damp; vout lowefrequencyzresoe nant oscillations of :said :zcomplianceg Withgathefs;

mass `of saidarmfin saidone',direction;- wherebycr tracking stability :and .responsefat.. .-the,..-resonant frequency may be .imp170ved;.t:

5. A phonograph reproducer arm-:f: assembly.;w

ingv substantially xed vwith vrespect-cto saidaarm'uf and the other substantially:sfixedfwithxrespectcto' said support,` a ,pair of adjacent'irelativelys mail able surfaceswith` substantially.fconstantcleare ance therebetween, associatedpwith fsaidff'coupling for relative movementaboutfat least..one.;of1.said` axes of rotation, a.stylusmountingfon.sadd'armgat r a point remote fromsaid.support1providingcoma3` pliance between lthe stylus.' and r:the armg and az. viscous lubricant between saidsurfaceszproviding- 1 j mechanical resistance to movementofsaidzarm .in

at least one direction, one of said surfacesgbeing'., .l

substantially immovable in said.; 4one ,.fdirectionz withrespect tothe armand the :othersurfacelbe-w ing substantiallyv immovable yinrsaidone fdirection'., ,r

with respect to- `said sup.port,-y said .mechanica-lare .f7

1.2,@l sistancefeffecting.` substantial. damping of.A the resonance-.of said vcompliancewith the mass of said; arm:A l

6. A phonograph.. reproducer arm assembly comprisinga repro'ducer arm, a support for said armpacoupling. movablyI attaching said arm to said support having.. substantially horizontal and substantially vertical axes of rotati0n,.one of said axes. being. substantially fixedwith respect to said armrfandrthe.. other .substantially fixed with respect to said support, a'pair of adjacent relatively movableesurfaces ,-Withsubstantially constant clearance. therebetweenlassociated withsaid coupling.forrelativemovement about at least one of said axes of rotation', .agstylusmounting on said arm. at. a .point remote fromsaidsupport provid.- ing compliance between-the stylus and the arm, anda viscouslubricant between said surfaces providing mechanicalresistance to movement of said arm in1atleast one direction, one of said surfaces being substantially;immovable in said one directionwvith respectito thearm and the other surface beingsubstantially immovable vin said one direction with respect to said support, said mechanicalresistance being atleast one-sixth that required to .critically dampthe low-frequency resonance of saidcompliance with the mass of said arm;

7. A phonograph` reproducer arm assembly comprising la substantially rigid arm, a support fore-said arm,za universal couplingrattaching said arm-near. one end thereof tov said support for lateral and vertical movement'of lthe arm about substantially horizontal and substantially vertical axes of rotationfone of said axes being substantiallyfixed-with-respect to said arm and the other substantiallyrfixed with respectto said support, a pairof adjacent relatively movable surfaceswith substantially ccnstant'clearance therebetween associated with said coupling for relau tive movement about lat least. one of said axes of rotation, .a-stylusmounted.on said arm near the endzfthereofrremote fromsaid support with compliancebetween. the :stylus and the arm, and a lubricantof high `'viscosity between said surfaces ablein said one direction with respect to saidsupport, themechanical resistance provided -by said viscous lubricant being suicientlyrhigh to substantially damp-,out low-frequency resonant oscil- V:lationsbf-saidcompliance With the mass of said arnm inv said one direction.`

8.,.A. phonographfreproducer arm. assembly comprisingarigid.reproducer arm, a vsupport for said .,arm, `a pivotal connection coupling said arm ,to .said support having. substantially horizontal and,substantiallyyertical Iaxes ofA rotation, one of said axes being substantially xed with respect to said arm and the -othersubstantially fixedwith respect .to said /supportysaid pivotaly connection having .relatively movable surfaceswith substan-v .$0 'plvidel'ff substantials mechanical resistance `to movement of said arm in said one direction, one

to the arm and the cooperating surface being substantially immovable in said one direction with respect to said support, the mechanical resist-V ance provided by said viscous lubricant being predetermined to substantially damp out low-frequency resonant oscillations of said compliance with the mass of said arm in said onedirection.

9. A phonograph reproducer arm assembly for reproducing sound from laterally-modulated sound grooves which comprises a reproducer arm, a support for said arm, a pivotal connection coupling said arm to said support for lateral and vertical movement about substantially horizontal and substantially vertical axes of rotation,'one of said axes being substantially xed with respect to said arm and the other substantially fixed with respect to said support, a suspension mounting a stylus on said arm at a point remote from said support, said suspension providing lateral compliance between the stylus and the arm, and a viscous lubricant in said pivotal connection providing substantial mechanical resistance to movement of said arm in the lateral direction during phonograph reproduction, the mechanical resistance provided by said viscous lubricant being sufficiently high to substantially damp out low-frequency resonant oscillations of said compliance with the mass of said arm in the lateral direction. A

10. A phonograph reproducer arm assembly comprising a reproducer arm, a support for said arm, a pivotal connection coupling said arm to said support for lateral and vertical movement about substantially horizontal and substantially e vertical axes of rotation, one of said axes being substantially xed with respect to said arm and the other substantially xed with respect to said support, a suspension for mounting a stylus on said arm at a point remote from said support, said suspension providing lateral and vertical compliance between the stylus and the arm, and av viscous lubricant in said pivotal connection providing mechanical resistance to movement of saidv arm in lateral and vertical directions during phonograph reproduction, said mechanical resistance being predetermined to be at least onethird the value required to elect critical damping of the low-frequency resonance of said compliance with the mass of said arm.

11. A phonograph reproducer arm assembly comprising a rigid reproducer arm, a support for said arm, a pivotal connection coupling said arm to said support having substantially horizontal and substantially vertical axes of rotation, one of said axes being substantially fixed with respect to said arm and the other substantially fixed with respect tosaid support, said pivotal connection having relatively movable surfaces with substantially constant clearance therebetween allowing lateral and vertical movement of said arm, a suspension mounting a stylus on said arm at a point remote from said support, said suspension providing lateral and vertical compliance between the stylus and the arm, and a lubricant of high viscosity between said movable surfaces providing mechanical resistance to movement of said arm in lateral and vertical directions during phonograph reproduction, the magnitude of said mechanical resistance being predetermined to substantially damp out lowfrequency resonant oscillations of said compliance with the mass of said arm in said directions.

12. A phonograph reproducer arm assembly arm, a ball-and-socket coupling having a pair of cooperating members with substantially concentric surfaces, onel of said members being fixed with said arm and the other xed with said support, a stylus mounting on said arm at a point remote from said support providing compliance between the stylusand the arm, and a viscous liquid between said concentric surfaces providing substantial mechanical resistance to movement of said arm in lateral and vertical directions, said mechanical resistance effecting substantial damping of the resonance between said compliance and the mass of said arm.

13. A phonograph reproducer arm assembly comprising a substantially rigid reproducer arm, a mounting support for said arm, a ball-andsocket coupling having a pair of cooperating members with substantially spherical concentric surfaces, one of said members being fixed with said armand the other xed with said support, 'a

suspension mounting a stylus on said arm at apoint remote from said support with lateral and vertical compliance between the stylus and the arm, and a lubricating liquid of high viscocity between V'said spherical surfaces providing substantial mechanical resistance to movement-of said arm, they areas of said spherical surfaces directions, one of said members being iixed with said arm and the other xed with said support, a pivot associated with said coupling positioned to maintain a predetermined concentric relationship between said members, a lsuspension mounting a stylus on said arm at a point remote from said support with lateral and vertical compliance between the Ystylus and the arm, and a lubricating liquid of high velocity between said spherical surfaces providing substantial mechanical resistance to movement of said arm in lateral and vertical directions, said mechanical resistance being sufficiently high to effect substantial damping of the low-frequency resonant oscillations of said compliance with the mass of said arm.

15. A phonograph reproducer arm assembly comprising a substantially rigid reproducer arm, a mounting support for said arm, a ball-andsocket coupling having a pair of cooperating members with substantially spherical concentric surfaces, one of said members being fixed with said arm and the other fixed with said support, a pivot at the center of curvature of said surfaces establishing a predetermined clearance therebetween, a suspension mounting a stylus on said arm at a point remote from said support with lateral and vertical compliance between the stylus and the arm, and a lubricating liquid of high viscosity between said spherical surfaces providing substantial mechanical resistance to movement of said arm, the areas of said spherical surfaces and the clearance therebetween being correlated with said liquid to provide a mechanical autoboerse.,

resistance= at -leasteone-third Vthat'frequir-eclV td` critically :damp-thelowefrequency-:resonant zoscillationsv ofsaic'tcompliancefwith.l thefmasslof saidf.

16.` :Al phonograph reprodueer arm v.assembly for .reproducing sound from zlaterally-rnodulatedfy i sound ngrooves comprising a ,substantiallyl-lrigid Y reproducen.. arm f. having a substantially hemispherical convex surfacegon the under side thereof near- ,onewendil a mounting support having a fsub-v stantially hemispherfical `concave surface on the. a

joint; a, `.centrally-located vertical pivot 'pinin said concave surface havinga .pivot p0int-.substan-. y. tiallyfatthe center ofzcurvature thereof ,Y a socket in the convex surfacel of-said armhaving `a bear-iv ing, pointY substantiallyv at' the` center ocurvature thereof,l engaging said pivot point'to maintaina predetermined clearance between the hemispherical surfaces', a suspensionmounting a stylusnear thefendfof the armremote from said support with y lateraleand vertical-compliancebetween the sty--v lus Aand thefarm, land a lubricating liquid of high viscosity y between .-said-hemispherical. surfaces f providingr :substantialmechanicalt resistance to movement of said arm,` the areasrof saidhemisphericalV surfacesy i-and: the clearance thereheing:@substantial.` mechanical` resistance to 1move stantg:clearancef between said surfaces, a stylus mountingon said arm at apoint remote from said support'providing compliance between the stylus and the arm,- and a viscous material betweensaid surfacesfprovidingrcontinuous mechanical resistancel to movement-ofv said arm in at least one 'of said vvdirectionsv during phonograph reproduction, said resistance beingselected to substantially dampthexresonanceof said-.compliance with the mass ofsaid arm.

19.-A phonograph" zreproducer arm assembly v as denedin claim' 18 in -which the viscous matei rialfprovides continuous mechanical resistance to tween being correlated with saidviscous liquid. to l provide mechanicalresistance sufcientto sube stantia-lly damp-out flowefrequency resonantv oscillations -of said compliance with the ,-mass of saidfarm. f

17. A phonograph freproducer arm assembly comprisinga `substantially rigid reproducer arm,.

a mounting supportl ifor vsaid: arm; f a ball-andsocketcoupling joining said `arm and said support having a pairl offcooperating members vwith substantially spherical. ,concentricn surfaces allowing movementsof` the-,.,armfin lateraland vertical directions,. one of said; rmembers -being ffixedv with.v said arm'and theother xedwith said support, aY

pivot. at-the'centerof curvature of said surfaces v Y establishinga predeterminedclearance therebe.

tween,a lsuspension .mounting-.a stylusfon` said arm -ata point, remote `from lsaid-support with,v

lateraland .vertical compliance between .the .styfi lus ,and xthe arm, and a lubricating Iliquidtof high viscosity Abetween said sphericalsurfacesprovide movementof theffarmdn eachvof said vdirections during..,the':playing of Va vphonograph record.

. ReferenceaCited in the vlel of this patent UNITEDISTATES PATENTSv Number Name Date 1,133,685 Weber Ma1'.'30, 1915 1,240,267" Taxon Sept; 18, 1917 1,721,362 Weir" July 16,' 1929 1,792,497` Keller et al'; Feb."17, 1931 133445623` Yeider Feb. '9, 1932 1,996,511 Harrison" Apr; 2, 1935 2,236,599 Hutter Apr.- 1, 1941 2,445,762 Chanal July 27, 1948 2,551,506 Rockwell May 1, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 759,373* France Feb. I2,V 1934 649,969-l Germany i Sept. 11, 1937 112,425 Australia Jan. Y29, 1941 

